The Chicago 152 (46mm)

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The Chicago 152 (46mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won’t be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch made by Elgin Watch Company. We call this model "The Chicago" because of the company's proximity to the city.

Case Style: 3D printed American Artisan Series cases are grown, one thin layer at a time, using powdered titanium and a high power laser. Each case is lightly barrel-polished to remove sharp edges while maintaining a vintage-style finish on the exterior. The interior of the case is CNC machined for accuracy and water resistance. The “Bronzed” titanium option has been heat-treated to appear bronze in color. This process produces a one-of-a-kind finish and slight variations in consistency are normal. Unlike solid bronze, this case will not patina over time.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number from the Elgin Watch Company. Also known as Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin wasn't only the largest watch manufacturer in the United States, but the largest watch manufacturer in the world for almost 100 years, operating from 1864-1964. The company often used a depiction of father time on advertisements. At one point, the company was making 7,500 watch movements per week and had 2,300 employees. The factory was demolished in 1966 and replaced with a shopping center.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/273748037

Watch - "The Chicago” 152 is the 152nd one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Chicago" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch features a water-resistant, titanium 3D printed case with a bronzed titanium finish and a knurled raw crown. The mechanics of the restored movement are visible through the Gorilla Glass crystal of the exhibition style, stainless steel back.

Case - When powdered titanium is fused together one layer at a time in the direct metal laser sintering process (metal 3D printing), the outcome is a rough surface finish due to the layers in which it printed. Vortic lightly polishes and finishes each case before the heat treating and coloring process.

This 3D printed titanium case is bronzed using a long and tedious process; bronzing titanium is an art form in itself. This deep bronze color is achieved through long hours in the heat treating kiln. This is not a paint, and will not scratch. This is chemically altered and will keep its beautiful color for life.

Movement Info - This "345" grade movement was originally produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1928. This manually wound movement is beautifully decorated, and has a fully jeweled gear train (17 jewels).

From a Vintage Elgin advertisement, "The watch by which the hour-to-hour progress of this remarkable age is timed. Used by men of action - women of initiative - people who don't stop."

Original Serial: 30522061

All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.

Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.

Movement

The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.

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—Brad from Florida

“

It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!

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—John from Indiana

“

After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!

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—Mark from Massachusetts

“

I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.

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—Todd from Ohio

Mission

Our mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of manufacturing excellence in America. We believe that this legacy is highly relevant in the world of watch manufacturing because our goal is to marry form and function in a way that makes something beautiful that will last forever. American made pocket watches were of such a high quality and decoration that they evolved into more than just a way to tell time. They became traditional heirlooms to be inherited by future generations as a wedding gift or a coming of age treasure. Each piece tells a lively tale of what U.S. manufacturing meant in the past using an intricate language of decorated bridges, plates, gears, and springs. Today, we are restoring these pieces to their former glory and making them relevant again using the best of modern technology.

American Made

We feel proud and blessed to live in the country, state, and city that we do. However, our motivation to build everything in the United States, and to deal locally whenever possible, is derived from a different source of inspiration. We believe that the close relationships, face-to-face interaction, and tight quality control we achieve while dealing domestically produces a truly superior product. Because of this, we are very transparent about where our components are made as we continue to build our in-house capabilities.

All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.